Sami Zayn wins Undisputed WWE Championship as CM Punk baffled by dirty play in chaotic SmackDown Mexico City

Sami Zayn is WWE Champion again. However, he didn't get there clean. Friday night's SmackDown was the promotion's first trip to Mexico City in 15 years, and the crowd at Arena CDMX got a main event soaked in chaos, interference, and one badly hurt knee.By the time the dust settled, CM Punk was on his back, three other superstars had gotten involved, and Zayn was celebrating his second Undisputed WWE Championship of the year. It wasn't pretty, but it didn't look like an accident.Sami Zayn is the new Undisputed WWE ChampionSami Zayn had been chasing this moment since July, when he lost the title after a run that lasted just nine days. He spent the months after insisting he'd been "robbed," and he made it clear he wouldn't stop until he got the belt back.He got his shot Friday night, in the main event of a card already stacked with four title matches. And when the opportunity was on the table, Zayn didn't hesitate to take the ugly route. Once CM Punk showed signs of a knee injury early in the bout, Zayn went straight after it, working the leg with a focus that bordered on ruthless.How Sami Zayn defeated CM PunkPunk opened strong, backing Zayn into the corner with right hands before adding a second-rope strike and a suicide dive to the outside. But the tide turned fast. Zayn slammed Punk's knee into the ring post, then locked in a Figure-Four leg lock, forcing Punk to scramble for the ropes.Punk kept fighting through it. He tried to answer with a GTS, but his leg buckled under him. Zayn, working through an injured wrist of his own, needed two attempts to land the Blue Thunder Bomb, and Punk kicked out of both. Punk then found the Anaconda Vice, and for a moment it looked like Zayn might tap. The referee, though, was looking the other way.That's when things spiraled. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae showed up ringside, and while LeRae pulled the referee's attention, Gargano grabbed the title belt and went after Punk. Punk answered with a GTS instead, dropping Gargano and sending the belt to the mat. Just as Zayn reached for it, Kevin Owens came out of nowhere, scooped it up, and swung at Zayn. Zayn ducked, and unfortunately Owens hit Punk.Zayn wasted no time after that. He hit Owens with a low blow, tossed the belt outside, and dropped Punk with a Helluva Kick. The three-count made him champion again.Zayn's celebration filled the arena as SmackDown went off the air, but the manner of the win is already drawing plenty of debate. With Owens, Punk, Finn Balor, and Gunther all still circling the title picture, Zayn's second reign is starting under just as much scrutiny as his first one ended.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.